Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed extended his congratulations this Friday to the Oromo people and all Ethiopians on the occasion of Irreecha, a thanksgiving festival marking the end of the rainy season and the start of the harvest in Ethiopia. Scheduled for October 3 and 4, the celebration was described by Ahmed as a symbol of the dawn of civilization and national renewal.

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In his message, the head of government urged the population to embrace the core values ​​of Irreecha—such as peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and brotherhood—with the aim of strengthening unity and advancing the nation’s path toward lasting prosperity.

Ahmed emphasized that, just as Irreecha marks the end of the rainy season and welcomes spring, Ethiopia is overcoming long-standing political and economic obstacles to enter a period of prosperity and strong national cohesion.

Reflecting on the country’s history, the Prime Minister acknowledged that, despite its immense natural and human potential, Ethiopia had remained mired in poverty due to governance challenges and a lack of systematic resource management. However, he affirmed that strategic economic and social reforms driven by the government are actively transforming historical challenges—both natural and man-made—into great opportunities.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to peace and national consensus, urging armed groups to choose stability. In this context, he cited an Oromo proverb—”the house where one sleeps is better than the one where one merely spends the evening”—emphasizing the importance of stability over uncertainty. Upon concluding his message, he called upon the Oromo people and all of Ethiopia’s nations, nationalities, and peoples to join forces in a spirit of forgiveness and brotherhood, in order to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and build a prosperous Ethiopian civilization.

🌿 Happy Irreecha! 🌿

May this beautiful celebration of Irreecha bring peace, unity and renewed hope to all. pic.twitter.com/EJYo9zsPUK

— EU in Ethiopia / የአውሮፓ ህብረት በኢትዮጵያ (@EUinEthiopia) October 2, 2026

African Union issues regional appeal

The Ethiopian leader is not the only one making this call; the African Union (AU) Commission expressed concern over rising tensions among Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt, urging the three countries to exercise maximum restraint to preserve peace and stability in the region.

In a statement, the continental body urged member states to refrain from any actions or statements that could escalate tensions. The Commission called for the utmost self-restraint and emphasized the need to maintain regional stability amidst the deteriorating relations between the governments involved.

The AU also highlighted the importance of keeping communication channels open and called on the three nations to manage their differences through established diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue. According to the institution, this process must be conducted in accordance with the principles set out in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the document establishing the framework for the organization and its member states.

The Commission further expressed its readiness to support efforts aimed at reducing tension. “The AU Commission stands ready, in consultation with the countries involved, to support efforts toward de-escalation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of differences,” the statement noted.

Ethiopia aims to plant 800 million trees in one day to boost reforestation.#Ethiopia #ClimateChange #Environment #Reforestation #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/vlbDnwoCkv

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) August 3, 2026

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